At the City of Kamloops, the well-being of animals in our care is a top priority. When an animal arrives in our care, it is treated with compassion and respect in accordance with the City's Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42.
Safe and Comfortable Shelter
Found dogs are housed in covered shelters that provide protection from the elements and a secure environment. Each dog has access to a separate outdoor space for fresh air and natural light.
Clean and Monitored Kennels
Our kennels are cleaned regularly to ensure a hygienic and stress-free environment. Dogs receive daily one-on-one visits from Community Services Officers to monitor their health and well-being.
Animal Health
Animals in our care receive regular meals and fresh water. If an animal requires urgent medical attention, the City will coordinate with a licensed veterinary clinic to ensure the animal receives prompt and appropriate treatment.
Our team will implement any necessary treatment plans to support the animal’s health and recovery. All veterinary care costs incurred during this process will be billed to the owner.
Stray Hold and Adoption Process
Animals are held for up to four days on a mandatory stray hold (four days for dogs/two days for cats) to allow owners time to reclaim them. After this period, Community Services will post animals on the City’s Lost and Found Animals Facebook page to help reunite pets with their families.
If unclaimed, animals will remain in our care for up to one additional week. After that, animals are transferred to a trusted rescue facility where they will be placed for adoption into a loving home.
Claiming a Pet
To inquire if your missing your pet is in our care, or if you have seen your pet on City of Kamloops - Lost and Found Animals, please contact us directly at 250-828-3409 or communityservices@kamloops.ca.
To claim your missing pet, you must:
- Provide proof of ownership, which can include:
- Adoption or purchase paperwork
- Vet records with both the dog and the owners' information
- Records of tattoo or microchip, if applicable
- Licence information from another municipality
- Have government-issued picture identification
- Purchase a dog licence if your dog is unlicensed
- Bring a leash and collar or a secure pet carrier
The City will work with pet owners to coordinate payment for any additional associated fines or fees to be paid before releasing their animal (e.g. boarding fees, impound fees, veterinary care), as outlined in Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42.
Reporting a Found Animal
Most lost pets are found very close to home and have a higher likelihood of being reunited with their family if they remain in the neighbourhood where they were found, rather than being brought to Community Services.
- If safe to do so, check the pet for any tags on its collar.
- Check with your neighbours in your immediate area to see if anyone is missing their pet.
- Post a photo of the pet and the general location on social media, neighbourhood blogs, etc. Also, check those sites for someone missing a pet matching the description.
- If safe to do so, you can bring the animal to a local veterinarian to have them scanned for a microchip and contact the owner directly.
If you have found an animal and have been unable to reunite it with its owner, please contact Community Services at 250-828-3409 or communityservices@kamloops.ca. You can also submit a found animal report through our web page to request that Community Services pick up the animal.
